Etymologically
← History of waarschijnlijk

waarschijnlijk Dutch · revision 37399

21 Oct 2026, 15:54 by bogdan “New Dutch entries (nl75d b10)” current version

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+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound, calque|attested=1540}}
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * /ʋaːrˈsxɛi̯n.lək/^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''waarschijnlijk'''^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is a 16th-century formation [[af|nl|waar|schijnlijk|t1=true|t2=apparent]].^(EWN)^(WNT) The second part is [[dum|schijnlijc|t=evident, apparent]], from [[schijnen]] in the sense “to make a certain impression” and the suffix [[-lijk]]; in meaning it was close to modern [[schijnbaar]].^(EWN) The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal allows both analyses, a compound of the adjective with ⟨schijnlijk⟩ or a formation from both words together with the suffix, and the ANW gives the second.^(WNT)^(ANW)
+
+ Most dictionaries take it as a translation of [[fr|vraisemblable]] or of [[la|vērīsimilis|alt=vērī similis|t=like the truth]].^(Van Veen & Van der Sijs 1997)^(De Vries 1971)^(Franck & Van Wijk 1912)^(Van der Sijs 2005) The EWN only calls such a model possible, while De Vries and De Tollenaere connect it with the French adjective, which goes back to 1266, and through it with the Latin phrase.^(EWN)^(De Vries & De Tollenaere 2004|424) Franck and Van Wijk note that neither Middle High German nor Middle Low German had a comparable word yet.^(Franck & Van Wijk 1912) The same formation is [[fy|wierskynlik]].^(EWN)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The first record is an ordinance of 1540 about the interest merchants may pay, which speaks of ''tghewin dat zy waerschynlicken zouden moghen doen'', “the profit that they would probably be able to make”.^(EWN)^(WNT)^(Van der Sijs 2001) Its base ''schijnlijc'' “evidently” is found in Middle Dutch from 1276.^(EWN)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ At first the word was an adverb: De Vries and De Tollenaere date the adverb to 1549 and the adjective to about 1580, and Franck and Van Wijk say it is in the dictionaries only from Kiliaan on.^(Franck & Van Wijk 1912)^(De Vries & De Tollenaere 2004|424) The Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal distinguishes the modal adverb “probably” (from 1540), an obsolete adverb of manner “with fair certainty about the truth” (1580), and a single use of 1616 meaning “with a semblance of truth”.^(WNT)
+
+ The adjective, “probably true”, appears in 1608, ''waarschijnlijke redenen'' “plausible arguments” in 1631, and ''verre van waarschijnlijk'' “far from likely” in 1642.^(WNT) ''Iets waarschijnlijk maken'', to make something plausible by argument, is recorded in 1838, ''hoogst waarschijnlijk'' “almost certainly” in 1879, and a philosophical use for a judgement based on the strongest presumptions in 1911.^(WNT) Van der Sijs counts German [[m|de|wahrscheinlich]] among the words borrowed from Dutch.^(Van der Sijs 2010)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1276 – Middle Dutch ''schijnlijc'' “evident” is recorded.^(EWN)
+ * 1540 – ''Waerschynlicken'' “probably” appears in an ordinance on interest.^(EWN)^(WNT)^(Van der Sijs 2001)
+ * c. 1580 – The adjective is recorded.^(De Vries & De Tollenaere 2004|424)
+ * 1608 – The adjective is used of a statement that is probably true.^(WNT)
+ * 1642 – ''Verre van waarschijnlijk'' “far from likely” is recorded.^(WNT)
+ * 1879 – ''Hoogst waarschijnlijk'' “almost certainly” is recorded.^(WNT)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Adverb===
+ # [[m|en|probably]], as may be supposed or expected: ''Ze komt morgen waarschijnlijk wat later.''^(Van Dale 2014)^(Wiktionary)^(WNT)
+
+ ===Adjective===
+ # [[m|en|probable]], [[m|en|likely]]: quite possible, presumably true: ''een waarschijnlijke verklaring''.^(Van Dale 2014)^(Wiktionary)^(WikiWoordenboek)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[waarschijnlijkheid]]
+ * [[onwaarschijnlijk]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[waar]]
+ * [[schijnen]]
+ * [[schijnbaar]]
+ * [[de|wahrscheinlich]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ In writing the word is often abbreviated, for example ''wsch.'', ''wrs.'' or ''wsl.''^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}